I invested in myself and increased my worth as a professional. I am thrilled to have earned my CDA!
– Assistant teacher, Western Missouri
Applications are accepting on an ongoing basis. Apply today to be placed on our waiting list.
CDA Scholarship Project
Through the CDA Scholarship Project, you will advance your education debt-free with a dedicated scholarship counselor who will be alongside you every step of the way. Our scholarship will help you navigate the CDA process while providing the financial supports needed to earn your credential.
Often a first formal step in early childhood education, the Child Development Associate (CDA) is a nationally recognized credential earned through the Council for Professional Recognition (Council) and valid across the country. Through our scholarship, you can earn a CDA in one of four early childhood settings: infant/toddler, preschool, family child care, and home visiting.
The CDA process consists of several components:
- Complete 120 hours of education covering 8 specific subject areas defined by the Council. Past training certificates and transcripts from early childhood college courses count toward meeting this standard.
- Work at least 480 hours over the past three years in the early childhood setting you are choosing to earn your CDA.
- After completing your education, you will create a Professional Portfolio using the Competency Workbook for your chosen CDA setting and purchased by the scholarship.
- Once ready to apply for the CDA, the scholarship will pay for your $425 application fee directly to the Council.
- Complete a test of your early childhood knowledge and an on-site classroom observation and interview by a Professional Development Specialist from the Council.
- You have earned your CDA! Our scholarship will pay you a $215 completion bonus once you have earned the CDA and another $215 after you complete six months working at your sponsoring employer. You walk away with a national credential debt-free and with a $430 bonus.!
The CDA process takes an average of 12 to 18 months to complete depending on the amount of early childhood education you start with.
How can I earn the 120 clock hours?
The CDA Scholarship Project gives you two options to earn the 120 clock hours.
A. Clock hours – The scholarship pays up to $350 for your early childhood training clock hours. You choose the training you want to take and the way you want to take it (online on demand, in-person training or online in real time). While the scholarship does not provide direct training, we will assist you in finding the best fit for your needs. To find out more, click here.
B. Credit hours – You want your CDA but want to earn college credit hours as a way to meet the CDA education requirement. Our scholarship will pay for nine to 12 early childhood college credit hours. To find out more, click here.
Who benefits from the CDA Scholarship Project?
Children benefit from lasting relationships with consistent early childhood care and education professionals committed and retained in the field. Missouri’s youngest children are best educated by those who have a strong base knowledge of child development and can apply what they learn in the classroom while caring for and preparing our children for kindergarten.
Scholarship Recipients (lead teachers, assistants, directors, owners and family child care business owners) increase their knowledge base and skill level while receiving increased compensation for completion of courses and support and career advising by a scholarship counselor. As a result, career advancement, increased confidence and job satisfaction are attained.
Child care programs (sponsoring employers) gain knowledgeable staff who apply high quality early childhood practices to the children and families they serve. Programs also experience reduced staff turnover, helping to improve quality and marketability while using the scholarship as a recruitment and advertising tool to the benefit of the facility.
100% of the cost of this program will be financed with Federal money up to $1.3 million annually. No other funding sources support this program.
